Late push rescues Lady Pups

Wednesday

For more than three quarters Tuesday, the girls basketball team of Dewey High School flirted with a monumental upset.

For more than three quarters Tuesday, the girls basketball team of Dewey High School flirted with a monumental upset.

But, the host Caney Valley (Kan.) High School Lady Pups — who came into the game with an eye-popping 16-1 record — put together a gritty fourth quarter comeback to pull out a grueling victory, 34-28.

"As a team we were very weak mentally and never did have our head in the game on offense or defense," said CVHS coach Tom Nelson. " There are no excuses, we just were not ready to play. Dewey played a good smart game, credit to them. This one is behind us so learn and move on."

Dewey — which ended the regular season at 3-19 — next travels Friday to Inola to open the Class 4A playoffs.

A combination of chilling defense and timely scoring elevated Dewey into the lead most the way.

The Lady Doggers won each of the first three quarters to build a 26-22 lead heading into the final period.

But, in the fourth period, Dewey scored only two points — on no field goals and only 2-of-6 shooting from the free throw line.

Caney Valley, meanwhile, erupted for 12 points in the fourth period, including a crucial three-pointer by Kolbi McIntosh and five points by Kyndal McIntosh, who buried a two-pointer and nailed 3-of-4 free throws.

Abigail Billingsley shot 4-of-8 from the charity stripe during the final period.

Kyndal McIntosh finished with a game-high 13 points to lead the Lady Pups, followed by Desiree Nelson with 12 and Kolbi McIntosh with five.

Karissa Jones tallied eight points to lead Dewey’s balanced scoring sheet. Jaycie Nickerson buried two three-pointers and Kiersten Vincent netted four three throws on their way to six points apiece.

Dewey enjoyed its highest production in the second quarter (13 points), led by Jones with six points (a field goal, 4-for-4 free throw shooting), and Nickerson with a trey.

In fact, Dewey, which is coached by Scott Neighbors, dropped in 8-of-8 free throws in the second period, but hit only 4-of-13 in the other three quarters.